Lateral Level

Lateral Officer

A Virginia lateral officer is someone that is a Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services certified law enforcement officer. The lateral officer must be currently employed as a law enforcement officer in Virginia or must have been employed as a law enforcement officer in Virginia within the past three years. Lateral officers may be exempt from taking the police entrance exam. Please contact your recruiter for further information.

Although current law enforcement officers from any state might be exempt from the ACPD entrance exam, lateral officers from outside of Virginia must attend the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy along with entry level officers.

Lateral officers may be eligible for a higher pay grade and leave accrual rate upon hire; this is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and is commensurate with experience. All lateral officers must pass the one-year date of hire probationary period.

Minimum Qualifications

Kind of Work

This is law enforcement work in which the employee is responsible for protection of life and property in Arlington County. Duties include:

Patrolling an assigned area on foot, bicycle, motorcycle or in a car to detect or prevent crime

Conducting investigations into a variety of criminal offenses such as larceny, auto theft, and robbery

Assisting in investigation of major crimes such as rape and homicide

Directing vehicular and pedestrian traffic

Preparing written reports on offenses committed, arrests, and other activities

Testifying in court proceedings

Other related duties as required

Work is performed in accordance with departmental rules and regulations and involves an element of personal danger. Employees must be able to exercise considerable independent judgement at all times.

Wages and Benefits

Paid overtime at a rate of time and one-half

Bilingual pay

Value added pay for department recognized certifications

Two health plans to choose from at low rates

Yearly salary increase based upon performance

Eligible for promotion to supervisory level after four years

Fixed shift with rotating days off scheduled for uniformed patrol

Uniforms and equipment are furnished by the department

Take home cars for patrol officers that live in Arlington County (availability dependent)

Tuition reimbursement

Education leave

25 year retirement — no age limit

County pays a percentage of health insurance premium for retirees with 25 years of service

Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP)

Credit Union Membership

Jobs

Why Join

The public depends on police officers to protect lives and property. We work and live by a set of core values: courage, competence, commitment, compassion, restraint, respect and integrity.

Why Arlington County

Just across the Potomac River from our nation’s capital, Arlington is diverse in its opportunities and its population. Arlington continues to maintain pleasant residential and commercial neighborhoods and a high quality of living for all that work and live here.

Join Now

Being a member of the Arlington County Police Department is much more than a job, it’s a passion. Learn how you can get started.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The Arlington County Police Department makes every effort to recruit qualified individuals from all backgrounds to serve our unique community. We are proud of the diversity across all positions and ranks within ACPD.